Toronto

As the NHL calendar turns to late May 2025, the clock on Mitch Marner’s tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs is ticking louder than ever. With unrestricted free agency looming on July 1st, the organization faces a franchise-altering decision: commit to a massive, long-term extension for the star winger, or risk losing him for nothing. Amidst the endless debate, one creative, complex, and rare solution presents a compelling, if improbable, path forward: a sign-and-trade. It’s a move that could, in theory, satisfy everyone, transforming a potential crisis into a strategic reset. Let’s explore how it would work and if it’s a realistic endgame. ...

On May 20, 2025, Keith Pelley’s offseason to-do list should begin with the most obvious and necessary move: firing Brendan Shanahan—a decision that sends a clear message that accountability has finally arrived. There’s no need for deliberation or external input. A decade without meaningful playoff success speaks for itself. The results are the only evaluation that matters now. But it’s not just about the decision—it’s about the signal it sends. This can’t be a quiet resignation or a “mutual parting of ways” or a contract expiry on June 30th. It must be a clear and public firing. That’s how you demonstrate accountability. That’s how you show fans, players, and the league that the status quo is no longer acceptable. ...